Virtual Ride of Stone Quarry Tour

Conditions

Conditions History

“A nice little tour of the offerings at Stone Quarry.”

Overview

No motorized use. Limekiln trails (just to the south) are open to motorized use.

Stone Quarry is a nice zone about halfway between Del Norte and Monte Vista. It has some really awesome topography that features large boulders and rock slabs. Views of the Sangre De Cristo range abound.

Family Friendly: This is a good zone for families - you can easily shorten the ride, the trails are not inherently technical but you can make them more challenging by playing on optional rock features along the way.

Dogs: Off-leash

Need to Know

There are NO trail markers or signs here. Make sure you have the MTB Project mobile app updated and you wont have any issues. Be rattlesnake-aware at all times.

Description

From the trailhead near the gun range, pedal up Vision Quest which climbs gradually to a high point with great views. The trail features a mixed tread with some rock but nothing technical. Once you top out on the ridge, you'll be greeted with great views of the San Juan Mountains and Stone Quarry area to the west, the entire San Luis Valley to the north and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east. A quick descent from the ridge will put you in the valley with access to Jer's Ridge and Monster Slayer.

Briefly follow the road to the north and look for Jer's Lair to branch off to the left. A quick pedal on Jer's will bring you to yet another junction - stay right here to join Monster Slayer.

Monster Slayer is a winding trail that's made great by the line choices. The actual trail is routed such that most beginner/intermediates will be challenged but not in over their heads. Advanced and expert riders will find tons of opportunity to choose their own adventures as the rock formations here beg to be ridden. Bottom line: take your time riding this one and keep your eyes out for fun lines on the rocks.

When you're done on Monster Slayer, bang a right onto Duran Land and enjoy more of the same. At about mile 5.5, you'll come to a point where Duran Land veers sharply left near a barbed wire fence. If you follow it, it turns into a doubletrack so it's recommended to turn around here and retrace your path.

When you get back to the junction with both Monster Slayer and Jer's Lair, choose your own adventure. Jer's Lair is much more direct (as mapped here) but if you're looking for extra miles and want to mess around on the rocks some more, ride Monster Slayer back in the other direction.

History & Background

Most of the older buildings in Del Norte and Monte Vista were built using stone that was quarried from right here. You'll pedal right past the quarry sites on this ride!